Saddam's Body Taken To Tikrit

Saddam's body has been flown on a U.S. plane to Tikrit where it was handed over leaders of Saddam's tribe for burial, which may happen as soon as Sunday.

Despite the wishes of Saddam's exiled daughter to have the body temporarily buried in Yeman to prevent desecration, the body will be probably be buried in a family cemetery outside Tikrit or in Ramadi.

Source: Saddam's body flown to hometown - Conflict in Iraq - MSNBC.com

Edit (7:03 PM): MSNBC is reporting that the family wants Saddam to be buried in Ramadi.

You Go To War With The Army You Have, Even If They Hate You

More bad news for the Bush crew, Saddam may be dead but the war isn't over yet. A new poll by the Military Times shows that for the first time the majority of the military disapproves of the way Bush is handling Iraq.

I guess they can hope that Saddam's hanging will cause this story to be pushed to the back page. You know, kinda like the story about December being the deadliest month of the war this year.

The American military — once a staunch supporter of President Bush and the Iraq war — has grown increasingly pessimistic about chances for victory.

For the first time, more troops disapprove of the president’s handling of the war than approve of it. Barely one-third of service members approve of the way the president is handling the war, ac cording to the 2006 Military Times Poll.

When the military was feeling most optimistic about the war — in 2004 — 83 percent of poll respondents thought success in Iraq was likely. This year, that number has shrunk to 50 percent.

Only 35 percent of the military members polled this year said they approve of the way President Bush is handling the war, while 42 percent said they disapproved. The president’s approval rating among the military is only slight ly higher than for the population as a whole. In 2004, when his popularity peaked, 63 percent of the military approved of Bush’s handling of the war. While approval of the president’s war leadership has slumped, his overall approval remains high among the military.

Source: Military Times Polls

BREAKING: Iraqi TV Received Some Footage Of Execution

CNN just reported that Iraqi TV stations have received some sort of footage from Saddam's execution and is preparing to air it.

It doesn't seem that anyone is sure what footage was released or even if it was video or photographs.

Welcome To The 24 Hour News Cycle...

CNN already has a special section up for the execution of Saddam Hussein.

Read More: CNN.com - Special Reports - Saddam Hussein on Trial

President Bush's Statement on Execution of Saddam Hussein

President Bush has already put up a statement about the execution of Saddam Hussein. Full text below.

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

Today, Saddam Hussein was executed after receiving a fair trial -- the kind of justice he denied the victims of his brutal regime.

Fair trials were unimaginable under Saddam Hussein's tyrannical rule. It is a testament to the Iraqi people's resolve to move forward after decades of oppression that, despite his terrible crimes against his own people, Saddam Hussein received a fair trial. This would not have been possible without the Iraqi people's determination to create a society governed by the rule of law.

Saddam Hussein's execution comes at the end of a difficult year for the Iraqi people and for our troops. Bringing Saddam Hussein to justice will not end the violence in Iraq, but it is an important milestone on Iraq's course to becoming a democracy that can govern, sustain, and defend itself, and be an ally in the War on Terror.

We are reminded today of how far the Iraqi people have come since the end of Saddam Hussein's rule - and that the progress they have made would not have been possible without the continued service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform.

Many difficult choices and further sacrifices lie ahead. Yet the safety and security of the American people require that we not relent in ensuring that Iraq's young democracy continues to progress.

# # #

Now if he'd only release a new plan for Iraq. You know, before we all die of old age...

Source: President Bush's Statement on Execution of Saddam Hussein

What Will be Done With The Saddam Hanging Tape?

It's been revealed that the execution was in fact attended by both a photographer and videographer and the Iraqi Government has released tapes of executions before in the past.

I've been wondering what will happen if (and that's a big if) the video and images of Saddam Hussein's execution are released? Will the news agencies rush to show them or will they be edited? From what I'm hearing on CNN it seems that Saddam refused to wear a hood during his hanging, meaning that any video footage would show his final facial expressions. Would these images be considered too graphic to be shown or would the temptation of high ratings win out?

Another interesting possibility that I've heard tossed up is that the video may be shown on Iraqi TV and then leaked on the Internet. In the age of YouTube footage like that would spread like wildfire.

Honestly I'm not sure if I'd want to see it or not.

Edit (1:18 AM): As if to prove my point about how quickly an online video would spread, this post alone has had 14 hits in the last 5 minutes. Not bad for 1 o'clock in the morning.

Edit (1:32 AM): CNN reports that Iraqi television stations are saying that footage of Saddam's execution will be released shortly.

Buy A Private Jet from The State Of Alaska

Need to buy a late Christmas gift for someone special? Going through a midlife crisis? Buy yourself a private jet now! Currently going for only $1,500,100.00 (though the reserve hasn't been met), this 1984 WESTWIND II jet is practically a steal. It's even got a great story behind it to boot.

The jet was purchased by Alaska's former Governor Frank Murkowski using state money (after being denied a grant from the Department of Homeland Security) because he wasn't satisfied with the bathroom-less plane used by previous governors, even though the jet wasn't suitable for the small gravel run-ways that are common in Alaska.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) - After a disappointing round of online bidding, the state of Alaska will try again to sell the personal jet that helped ground former Gov. Frank Murkowski's long political career.

The Westwind II, complete with leather sofa and burgundy carpet, fetched a high bid of only $1.9 million on auction site eBay, short of the $2.6 million paid for it a year ago.

So the state has put it up for sale for another 10 days.

"We don't want Alaskans to lose any money on this jet," said Meghan Stapleton, spokeswoman for Gov. Sarah Palin, although the state has a reserve account to cover any loss, she added.

Source: Alaska tries again to sell ex-governor's jet | US News | Reuters.com

or just head over to eBay Motors and place your bid (item number 250067826517 in case a direct link doesn't work).

BREAKING: Saddam Has Reportedly Been Executed

Reports coming in from Iraqi television are saying that Saddam Hussein has been hanged.

I guess there really isn't a whole lot to say. Was he guilty? Yes. Did he get a fair trial? No. Does it make any difference now? Besides setting a bad precedent, no.

Source: Reports: Saddam Hussein executed

How Did This Happen?!?

Ted Strickland Inauguration Invitation
Originally uploaded by david potts.

Somehow I was invited to Ted Strickland's Inaugural Ball. I received the invitation (pictured) along with a little booklet about the days events in the mail the day after Christmas. While I highly doubt I'll attend the ball (even if there's still tickets available), I might make the trip up for the swearing in ceremony.

The funny thing though is that I don't remember ever giving the Strickland campaign my address.

More On Senator Johnson

There was a new statement posted at Tim Johnson's Senate website yesterday. Full text below.

Contact: Julianne Fisher, Megan Smith (202)224-5842

Statement from the Office of Senator Johnson

Thursday, December 28, 2006

Washington, DC— On U.S. Senator Tim Johnson's 60th birthday, he remains in the intensive care unit at George Washington University Hospital and is surrounded by his family.

"Senator Johnson's overall general medical condition has improved and he is gradually being weaned from the sedation," said Vivek Deshmukh, MD, neurosurgeon at The George Washington University Hospital. "He is opening his eyes and is responsive to his wife." It is anticipated that Senator Johnson will undergo further testing in the coming days. He remains in critical condition.

"Tim continues to give us great hope. His tests are encouraging and he has been responding to me. While we were both looking forward to celebrating his 60th birthday with our family and friends, I know the celebration is just postponed. Two of our children were able to be with Tim and me today, and we continue to appreciate the birthday wishes and prayers he has received, as well as the excellent care that he is receiving from everyone at George Washington University Hospital," said Barbara Johnson, wife of Senator Johnson.>

Source: Statement from the Office of Senator Johnson

My Wish Almost Came True: Bush Almost Crawled In A Hole

My wish almost came true today, George W. Bush almost crawled crawled in a hole due to a tornado warning. I was thwarted however, as they only drove to the shelter and sat outside in the car for 10 minutes.

Mr Bush, his wife Laura and their two dogs Barney and Miss Beazley were taken by armoured car to a tornado shelter on the property, the White House said.

However, the couple did not need to enter the shelter as the bad weather only lasted a short while.

The couple and members of staff were in the vehicle for about 10 minutes.

Source: BBC NEWS | Americas | Bush shelters amid tornado alert

The Greatest Gag Gift I've Ever Received...

My uncle bought this for me as a Christmas present this year. I figured I'd share it with everyone in case they are looking for the perfect anti-Bush gift for someone.

It's called the "Bushel of Bush Gift Basket" and here's what it contains...

A nearly professionally packaged, arranged and sealed woven bushel basket of GW collectible novelties, all new for the 2006 holiday gift-giving season. Each Bushel of Bush contains...

1. Bush Countdown Clock Keychain - Pre-set and counting down to Inauguration Day, January 20th, 2009.

2. Wipe Your Tush with Bush novelty toilet paper - One roll of our best-selling TP ever.

3. Smush Bush - Experience the calming effect of our 4" Dubya stress reliever. Guaranteed for 2 years.

4. GW's Dum Gum - Eight idiot-proof pieces of chewing gum. Not recommended for use while walking.

5. Bush Quotable Notable - You can personalize this blank GW note card and envelope with the variety of provided stickers that are suitable for any occasion.

6. Dumbass Head on a String - Our best-selling musky, powerful "man-scent" car air putrifier.

7. Bush Impeachmints - A tin of peach flavored mints to help get that bad taste out of your mouth.

8. This is not a comic - Famous Bush cartoon sticker comic by Peter Kuper.

9. Bush Garden Seed Packs - The complete Funny Times original set includes Texas Homegrown Dope, Global Warming Bush and Soldier Bush Beans.

Source: The Funny Times Gift Shop: Bushel of Bush Gift Basket

Blog Wars

I'm watching Blog Wars on Sundance right now. At this moment, just after the opening, they're discussing the CBS Bush National Guard papers and Daily Kos. So far it seems to be just like the online political arena, the extremes of both sides taking shots at each other.

They've now moved on to "the kiss" and the Lieberman / Lamont campaign. In fact, now 40 minutes into the thing, they are still focused on Joe Lieberman. It's pretty much all they've talked about and I'm kind of disappointed about it (well that and I just accidentally added "aat" to spell check).

Define Irony: Obit Written By A Dead Man

This is pretty funny if you have a sick sense of humor like me. Apparently the person who wrote the Washington Post's obituary for Gerald Ford has been dead for almost a year.

As Drudge so cruelly notes, Washington Post obituary writer J.Y. Smith died nearly a year before he reported on Gerald Ford’s tragic death in today’s paper. How did Joe Smith do it? Did he return from Beyond the Grave, possibly to help the ghost of James Brown in killing the 93-year-old ex-prez?

Probably, but this is also another reminder that obits are waiting on pretty much every public figure — especially anyone older than 50. Some papers have writers who specialize in summing up a famous life in 12 inches of newsprint. Others keep a file directory of pre-written obits and assign some hapless copy editor to update the things now and then.

Source: Long-Dead Reporter Writes Gerald Ford's Obit - Wonkette

Playing Catch-Up

Some of the big stories from the last few days...

• Ohio Supreme Court sticks it to Bob Taft (and Naugle got his Christmas wish).
• Edwards is going to announce his run for President tomorrow in New Orleans. He apparently slipped up and put his campaign site up early.
• Mike DeWine's kinky former aide with the sex blog is facing a lawsuit. You can read why here.
• Ted Strickland's inauguration is coming up and tickets to the inauguration ball went on sale for $75 a pop.
• The Cleveland Plain Dealer made a funny list of blog awards.
• Arnold broke his leg skiing. Yes, that Arnold.
• Tony Blair's jet decided to stay the course and ran right off the runway.
• Gerald Ford died. Bob Woodward reveals that Ford was against the war in Iraq.
• Saddam's days are numbered after his conviction is upheld. He's supposed to be executed in the next 30 days.

Did I miss something? Add it as a comment...

Gerald Ford Dies

Former President Gerald Ford (or as i knew him "the jerk that pardoned Nixon) died yesterday according to his wife.

As of now the cause hasn't been released.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Gerald Ford, whose brief U.S. presidency is remembered mainly for his controversial pardon of Richard Nixon, was honored on Wednesday as a man who tried to heal a divided country.

The oldest living president at 93, Ford died on Tuesday of undisclosed causes at his home in California.

Ford was the only U.S. president not elected to either the presidency or vice presidency. He was appointed vice president in 1973 after Nixon's vice president, Spiro Agnew, resigned to avoid prosecution on corruption charges.

Source: Ex-president Gerald Ford dies | Top News | Reuters.com

Just for fun, here's a little (probably untrue) fact from his wikipedia page.

Ford once reached into a man's chest cavity and pulled out his heart, announcing "Ha! Now you really ARE a heartless bastard!" after overhearing the man owed nearly $10,000 in child support to his ex-wife.